Tennis set



Dec I0, 1935.

J. L. KLEINMAN 2,023,844

TENNIS SET Filed Nov. 4, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR- Dec. 10, 1935.

J. L. KLEINMAN 2,023,844

TENNIS SET Filed Nov. 4, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR- UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TENNES SET Jacob L. Kleinman, New York, N. Y. Application November 4., 1933, Serial No. 6961533 27 Claims.

The invention relates to a device constituting a table and accessories used in connection therewith in playing the game familiarly known as ping-pong and more table tennis. ing a table of unique con The invention consists in properly designated as providstruction, and more particularly of a table top and supporting structure therefor, as well as a net holder and racket of novel design and construction.

An object of the invention is to provide a table tennis playing surface consisting of a table top having edges reinforced so as to minimize warping and protected against the possibility of breakage.

Another object is to provide a table tennis playing surface having a guiding member associated therewith.

A further object of th a table comprising two e invention is to provide portions detachably secured together by means of hinges so as to form a single unitary structure and provide a smooth and even playing surface.

Also an object of the invention is the provision of a table having readily adjustable legs for supporting the table top.

of the table.

A still further object of the invention is to provide to my novel structure 0 a net holder device, capable of application f table, such net holder being adapted to have its movement controlled by means of a screw and a ing an off-set back positi A still further object holder, means for obtaining a firm U-shaped member havis to provide, in a net edge line of the net stretched between the supporting posts,

irrespective of the state the adjustment of said raising or lowering the n of tension of the net or tension, and means for et, in order to obtain the proper height of such net.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a racket for table tennis having gripping means at its neck position, having a removable striking surface, such surface having portions thereof concaved so as to afford a better gripping and control of the ball during play.

Other objects of the invention include the pro- .vision of a net holding placed upon a stand capable of being table without the necessity of using clamps, and which stand is adjustable to fit any table width.

All of the above objec ts will be seen to be. (iirected toward providing a practical and durable device simple in construction and therefore, economical in cost of manufacture.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will appear from the description there- 5 of to follow, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is a side view of table embodying my present invention.

Fig. 2 is a horizontal view of the table with the 10 legsthereof in the folded position.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of a portion of the frame, top and leg.

Fig. 4 is a modified form of the leg construction.

Fig. 5 is a cross-section view along the line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a cross-section view along the line 6--6 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is a view of the bottom, of the leg, partly 20 broken away, to reveal the internal structure.

Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the frame and top of the table.

Fig. 9 is a modified form of the structure shown in Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a modified form of the structure shown in Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a sectional view of the table and net post.

Fig. 12 is a modified form of the structure 0 shown in Fig. 11.

Fig. 13 is a sectional view of the table top, net post holder and post.

Fig. 14 is a modified form of the structure shown in Fig. 13.

Fig. 15 is an assembled View of the net-post and net. Fig. 16 is a modified form of a portion of the structure shown in Fig. 15.

Fig. 17 is a modified form of the structure shown in Fig. 16.

Fig. 18 is a modified form of the net-post.

Fig. 19 is a modified form of a portion of Fig. 15.

Fig. 20 is a top view of a portion of Fig. 19.

Fig. 21 is a front view of a portion of Fig. 19.

Fig. 22 is a front view of the racket.

Fig. 23 is a modified form of the structure of Fig. 34.

Fig. 24 is a cross-sectional view along the line 24-24 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 25 is a modified form of the net holder attached to the table.

Fig. 26 is a cross-sectional view 26-46 of Fig. 25.

along the line Fig. 27 is a modified form of the structure shown in Fig. 26.

Fig. 28 is a. view of the rod, partly broken away, to reveal the internal structure.

Fig. 29 is a modification of the table top.

Fig. 30 is a modification of Fig. 1.

Fig. 31 is a cross-sectional view along the line 3l-3I of Fig. 32.

Fig. 32 is a modified form of the structure shown in Fig. 11.

Fig. 33 is a modified form of Fig. 25.

Fig. 34 is an end view of Fig. 33.

Fig. 35 is a modified form of the structure 01' the post, and

Fig. 36 is another modified form of the post and stand structure.

The reference character I indicates the table top made of any suitable material, for example wood, metal, or fibre, supported by legs 2, held in position by brackets 2. These legs and brackets are pivoted so that they may be folded to a position flush with the underside of the table. The table is made in two sections connected together by suitable hinges. for instance, hinge 3, raised at its center as at 4, so as to permit the folding and closing of the table. This hinge 3 may be attached to top I in any desirable manner, for example, by being riveted or screwed thereto, as at 5. One portion of the hinge is bent as at 6 (see Fig. 2), overlapping the other portion thus providing an even surface to match the even surface of the sides of the top I. These hinges may be riveted together in a manner loose enough to permit swinging, but a suitable removable screw 6' may be used instead of a rivet, such screw passing loosely through an opening 6" in member 3' and engaging, by means of thread opening 3" of member 3a (see Fig. 2). (The threaded portion of the screw and openings are not shown). Thus, in addition to providing hinged means to fold the table, I also provide means for separating the two halves (because screw 6 may removed if so desired) so that instead of carrying the full weight of the table, one may carry one-half of the Weight at a time to the desired place and then join same together, or, if it is desired to use a section of the table for a difierent game, for example, bridge, then only one-half could be used while the second half may be stored away.

It is, of course, understood that top I may be made of one solid portion, and if desirable, the table may be made as a stand and have a separate top attached thereto. In such case top I may be made of any desirable material and shaped as exemplified by Figures 2, 3, 8, 9, l0 and 13. Referring to Figs. 2 and 8, frames 1 and 8 are made of angle iron and in the following manner. A full length is obtained, then mitred, then bent to form a closed frame, the end portions being brought together and joined to each other in any suitable manner, for instance, welded, riveted, soldered or screwed. If desired, these frames may be made of several sections. To the side of these" frames are attached legs 2 in any suitable manner, either by rivets or screws. If screws are used, leg 2 is provided with an interiorly threaded bushing or member 9 (see Fig. 3) and a, screw I0 is loosely inserted through an opening in member I i so as to engage said bushing. When it is desired to swing the leg, screw I0 is loosened, and when the leg 2 is placed in desired position, screw it! is tightened, thereby pulling leg 2 close to portion leg in a locked position. A

I2 and holding the member l3 (see Fig.

2) is secured to each pair of legs 2, a sub-member l4 being then secured to legs 2 .and to member l3, thus making each pair of legs a strong and rigid structure. If desired, member l3 may be provided with end portions turned or bent at right angles (not shown) in the same manner as top portion of leg 23 as in Fig. 4 and then attached in a suitable manner to legs 2, thus forming a unitary structure. It is important that when the leg sections are folded they shall lie flatly against the angle iron and not be bulky for packing, and yet not touch or injure the underside of top la. In order to accomplish this purpose, I provide the center set of legs 2 with a member I3 shorter in length than members [3 (see Fig. 2) and make the end portions of this pair of legs bent as at !5 and brackets 2" also bent or shaped to correspond with the space between portion 8' of frame 8 and leg 2", so that the legs 2 and 2 lie beside each other and not on top of each other. To the frame I is attached a member l6. This member i6 may be of angle, T-shaped, channelled or of a corrugated shape as at I! (see Fig. 24). This, of course, strengthens the frame considerably. If desired, the other sections of the frame may also be made of corrugated material, thus greatly reducing the weight of the structure. Frame 1 and member l6 are provided with openings (not shown) and when top la. is placed upon top l which consists of frames 7 and 8, then screws l8 are placed into said openings and inserted into top I a, but not extending all the way through said top la so as to allow the upper surface of said top la to have a smooth uninterrupted finish (see Fig. 8). Legs 2 and 2' may be made of tubing and in such a case the extreme ends are provided with lugs il so as to prevent direct contact between the tubular legs and the floor, thus eliminating injuries to such floor.

In some cases the floor may not be perfectly even and the table will therefore shake. In order to prevent such shaking, I have provided a threaded member 22 (see Fig. 7) and a plug 2| provided with a threaded portion 2 I, said member 22 being inserted into the extreme bottom end portion of legs 2 and 2 as at l9 until flange edge or top portion 22 engages said bottom end portion. By turning plugs 2| the leg may be adjusted to the proper length so that the table will reach a desirable height, thus assuring an even playing surface. If desirable, the leg itself may be threaded and plug 2| may be attached directly to said threaded leg portion. The legs may also be made of a piece of tubing bent or shaped to a U-shaped member 23 (see Fig. 4) and if desired, a corrugated cross bar, angle or tubing 24 of any desirable form may be secured to said U-shaped member and said U-shaped member may be attached to said angle portion 7 and I in any suitable manner. For example, tubular members 25 and 26 are telescoped over the member 23 before bending same to U-shape. Said member 23, when bent, is placed in position and members 25 and 26 are then attached to portion 1 and 7 by means of screws, solder G 1 thus making this a solid structure. This por- 7 tion 21 is shorter than the depth of the nut 29 thus allowing the tightening of these sections and at the same time permitting the swinging of member or legs 23 in the same manner as with respect to legs 2. Of course, plugs H] or 20 may be applied to the end 3| in the same manner as applied to ends 19'.

With respect to Fig. 9, instead of a plain angle forming top I to receive top la, a T-shaped member 32 is used to form said top I, thereby providing a casing, frame or shell 33 and top la is dropped into this frame or shell and supported by flange 34. This casing, shell or frame 33 protects the edge 35 of top la. In this case, screws I8 may be inserted through portion 33 so that longer screws may be used and yet not affecting the upper surface of top la.

A table tennis top is usually made of several plies or layers of material and frequently those layers or plies become loose or separated from each other, after the glue dries, especially when made of wood. In such case, the top becomes useless. The structure of the present invention not only protects the edges of the tops from breaking, but also hides such separation from view, thus greatly minimizing the possibility of losses to the manufacturer and dealer.

The frame 33 may be made without flange 34 and in case of wooden or fibre tops, such frame 33 may also be made of wood or fibre, as the case may be. Fig. 10 shows that the side of top I a. may be provided with a groove or opening 36 and portion 33 is provided with a rib or hook 3'! and instead of dropping top la into the shell, said top may be shifted sideways until the groove engages said rib, thus eliminating the use of screws. The same is true with respect to Fig. 3 but with this difference, that the side 38 of said top is rounded and provided with a recess 39 and portion H is provided with a groove or channel 43 and when assembled the edge of top la is thus reinforced and well protected against injury. In Fig. 13 the edge 4| of top la is covered with a channel member 42 and thus reinforces and may be attached to any kind of a stand or legs and yet edge portion 4| will be well protected against injuries.

It is to be noted that particularly when top la is made of ply wood, the several thin layers on the top during handling because of the thinness of such layers, break off very easily. The prevention or minimizing of such breakage of the edges by their reinforcement and protection is of great importance. The reinforcement and protection of the edges of top la will strengthen such edges considerably and will also help to greatly reduce the possibilities of warping of said top ia. In addition to this, member 42 may also be a guide, by taking the place of the white stripe which is about of an inch in width, and is positioned at the end portions guiding the playing surface, thus saving the cost of the painted stripe which is quite expensive. (As a guide, member 42 could be made of any suitable material, style, shape or color). These are very im portant matters in an article of this sort.

Referring to Fig. 1, it will be noted that portion 6 of hinge 3 is away from the center of the table, as indicated at 43. This is done with the purpose of providing room for U-shaped member 44 (see Figs. 13 and 14) to be positioned at the center of the table. The U-shaped member (see Fig. 14) is at its bottom portion 46 provided with an interior threaded tubular portion 45. A screw 41 is positioned therein, thus securing said U shaped member to said top. Said U shaped member is provided with an outwardly flared, offset or angular shaped rear end portion, or extension 48, said end portion being provided with an opening 49. A screw 53 is positioned within the opening 49 and passes through a threaded nut 51 and also an opening 52 of portion 44, the nut, non-circular in shape, is positioned against the inner wall 53 of wall portion 54. The nut, therefore, will not rotate upon the rotation of the screw 59 but will travel up or down. The portion 44 (see Fig. 13) is formed into member 55 and provided with a net holder 56 (see also Fig. 15). (For details of construction of the member 55 and the net holder 53, see my United States Patent No. 1,862,118 dated June 7, 1932).

Fig. 11 shows a slot 53 formed in portion 1, a. net holder 6 I inserted into said slot 53, a member 62 being secured to portion l by rivet, screw or welding, said member 62 being provided with an end portion 63 assisting in the guiding of portion 59 of net holder 6!. Member 62 is shaped with its center away from portion 59, said center being providedv with a screw threaded opening 63 through which passes a screw 55, the end of which engages the underside of portion 55 thus controlling the movement of same. The reason for having the member 52 shaped downwardly at about the center is to provide-.sufiicient room for the screw 65 sothat a few back turns of said screw 30 would not cause displacement thereof.

With respect to Fig. 12, portion 1 is provided with a screw threaded opening 69'; a member 66 is attached by means of screws 61 to top la and an opening 68 is formed in said member 65 and in said top 1a. A screw 63 is inserted, engaging the threaded opening and passing loosely through the opening 68 until its top end engages the underside 10 of net holder 5|, thus controlling the movement thereof. When net holder 55 is placed in proper position (see Figs. 13, 14, and 15) screw 50 is turned. Nut 5|, being unable to rotate, moves downwardly and engages wall 51 of portion 48. Further turning of screw 50 forces such screw upwardly and the end 58 then engages the underside 59 of net holder 56 thus preventing its movement. Referring to Fig. 13, U-shaped member M may be made of a spring material and thus be supported by frictional engagement without the use of screw 41. The threads may be formed in opening 49, thus eliminating the use of nut 5|.

Referring to Fig. 15, net holder 56 is provided with a non-circular opening H. A non-circular shaped notched or threaded member 12 is placed within the opening 1 I, in a position non-rotata- 55 ble, 2. thumb or wing nut 12' is associated with said member 12 and a net 13 having its edges taped with a tape of a straight weave S0 and provided at its end with a straight bar portion 14 of which at least a portion or one side thereof may be, in part or in whole, grooved, or be made of channel shape, or of any other suitable form and attached to same by suitable means, for example, fastening elements or eyelets 15. The solid portion M is provided with an opening 16 wherein is placed the end portion of member 12, said member 12 and solid portion l i being provided with openings ll. A rivet, screw or special pin may be inserted into the openings 1'! to hold these members together, and to provide hingeable means for same. Net holder 56 is also provided with a top portion having its end 18 bent away from the net so that the string 19 which passes loosely through the tape may be tightened around said end portion 18. The net may thus be tightened or loosened by operating wing nut 12' without affecting or loosening the firm edge of the net formed by the tautness of string I9. Tape 88 being of a straight weave and connected to member I4 as at I5, and because of the pivotal connection between members 12 and 14, the member I4 will hinge, equalize, and evenly divide the tension between both edges of the net. Although such edges may be tensioned as desired and string I9 may hold the top edge quite firm, yet, the center portion of the net I3 will be loose enough to eliminate balls during play. (A ball rolling over the net after hitting same is called a ball; such balls are very objectionable.)

Referring to Fig. 16, net '53 is provided with a member 8I made of any suitable material, end

sections 82 being provided with tubular portions 83, a channel member 84 being provided with a partly tubular form and an opening 86. In this case, member 84 is attached to portion I2 in the same manner as is member I4 (see Fig. 15) and the end portions 32 slide into the opening 85 and are held there by frictional engagement.

Referring to Fig. 17, member 81 is provided with hooks 88 stamped out of its body to receive the openings 89 of net member 96. In this case, portion I2 would be slotted at its end portion 16 and receive the center portion of member S'I and be secured to same by a rivet or screw passing through openings I1 and 81', and a net may thus be hooked on or ofi.

In Figs. 19, 20 and 21 a modified form of net holder is shown. Member 59 is bent as at 9|; an opening 52 is formed in said member 59, member :33 having an opening 93' to receive portion 72 and is also provided with a reduced end portion 94 positioned in said opening 92. A screw is inserted in opening 96 of portion 9| and when said screw 95 is turned, its end 91 presses against reduced portion 94 so that member 93 pulls and tensions the net.

Fig. 18 shows net holder 55 provided with an additional member 98 carrying member 12 so that by moving said member 98 up or down the height of the net may be regulated and secured stationary at such height by suitable means, for example, screw 99, said member 98 may be produced in any desirable size, shape, form or style, and such member a side extension not shown but such as, for example, iii of Fig. 15 maybe formed thereon, such member may be suitably attached to any post for the purpose as herein set forth.

Referring to Fig. 25, members Hi6 having their ends bent as at It)? are provided with felt or other soft means I09 so that when placed on top I a the fine surface finish III] will not be injured in any way. Each of said members N36 is provided with a neck II I and a tubular portion H3 through which passes a rod H4 composed of sections so that it can be made longer or shorter to correspond with the width of the table to which it is applied. The rod H4 is provided with threaded end portions H6 over which are secured wing nuts II 5 so that when said wing nut is being operated, its wall II! will engage the end wall'II8 of member II3 thus pulling both members I05 to each other. The ends H9 of top 8e will engage the felt I09 of portion I61 in such a way that the members I96 will be mounted tightly upon top Ia. A reverse turning of wing nut II5 will loosen said members I06 so that they may be removed if desired. Upon portion II 3 is positioned a member I 20, its end I2I (see Fig. 26) engaging loosely neck III so as to prevent same from rotating. The member I20 is also provided with an upstanding flange I22 having openings I23 (see Fig. 25) to receive the 5- ends of a net so that when members I20 are moved away from each other, the net becomes adjusted to the proper tension; the screw I24, carried by member I28, locks same in place. Fig. 27 shows that screw I24 instead of being carried 10 by member I22, may be carried by member I06, and that a shoulder I 25 engages portion I26 of member I 20 thus preventing the movement of same. Fig. 28 shows the structure of rod H4 and that because of the threaded ends same can be 15 made shorter or longer. Fig. 29 shows top Ia made of sections I2! provided with a soft portion such as felt or other suitable material I28 so that when opened and placed upon a table the sections I2! will not injure the surface of such 20 table. Fig. 30 shows a type of folding table provided with member I06 positioned on top of table I29, legs I32 being hingedly connected to sections I SID and I S! and supported by brackets I33. This table folds with the legs inwardly, is 25 very light in weight, could be used for various purposes, and will not take up much room. Figs. 31 and 32 show a table top I29 without member I86 but a portion of said top near the edge I63 is opened and bent to shape as at I64. A sliding 30 member I66 carrying a post or flange I22 being provided with means I23 adapted to receive a portion of a net is slidably mounted therein. Figs. 33 and 34 show a stand I38, a collapsible member I40, a rod II4 positioned within a tubu- 35 lar member I 31, carrying a screw I24 for tightening the rod II4 after adjustment thereof. Said stand I38 is provided with a portion I39 having an opening I45. The member I40 is provided with a cut-out section I4! and an opening I44 40 larger in diameter than the opening I45 so that when screw I42 is positioned therein, threaded portion I43 passes these openings and engages the last threaded opening. When tightening of member I49 to the portion I39 is required, a turn 45 of the screw I42 will cause shoulder I48 to engage one side of portion I39 pushing same towards the threaded portion of member I49 thus tightening said post to said stand. When folding is wanted, then, turning screw I42 the op- 50 posite way will loosen the parts, permitting the pivoting and folding of same as at I49. Fig. 35 shows post I35 provided with shoulder portions I36 and screw I24 carried by one of such shoulders to secure same to table top I29. Fig. 36 shows post I50 provided with means ISI for the purpose of receiving the ends of a net, an opening I52 to receive rod II 4 and also the bottom section provided with a weight I53 to keep said post in an upstanding position. 60 It will be noted that the structure of Figs. 33, 34, and 36 are of a type that are not clamped to any table but may be placed on top of a table; therefore when a ball hits the net and throws the net assembly over, means for bringing same 65 back to position are of importance. Fig. 23 shows stand I54 screwed to member I55 provided with felt or other suitable means I59 and also provided with an opening I55 wherein a post I57 having a circular portion I58 is placed and prevented from rotating or side movements by shoulder I60 but movable to adjust the tension of the net and to be secured to proper position by means of a screw I24. 75

Although I have mentioned in describing my invention of what materials certain parts may be made and how they may be assembled, yet I desire it to be understood that this structure, or parts thereof, may be made of any suitable material, in any form, shape or style, and assembled in any desirable manner and that various changes in details may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. A table structure including a top section, means on said section adaptedto receive a movable net supporting member and means within said section adapted to check the movements of said member.

2. In a tennis game, a member adapted to be connected to a table top, and provided with means adapted to receive a movable net supporting element, a portion of said member underneath said element being provided with an opening, and means threaded into said opening adapted to check the movement of said element.

3. In an apparatus adapted to be used for table tennis and similar games, a net supporting element extending upwardly approximately as high as the upper edge of the net and provided with an opening, a member within said opening, a second member hingeably connected with said first mentioned member, a net connected with said second member, and a string loosely connected with said net and adapted to engage a portion of said element.

4. A table structure, at least one of the sides of said structure provided with an opening below its upper surface, for the purpose of receiving a movable net supporting member, a portion of said structure near said opening adapted to carry an element for the purpose of engaging and checking the movements of said member.

5. A net structure, for tennis or the like, straight bar elements secured to the side sections of said net at points near the top and bottom portions of same, said elements provided with means at about the center thereof for the purpose of being pivotally connected to net supporting members, thereby providing self adjustable means for said net, said connection adapted to be disconnected to separate the elements from the members.

6. A net holder comprising an upstanding post, said post provided with an aperture, a movable member loosely positioned within said aperture, a net, a straight bar pivotally connected to said member, said bar adapted to engage said net at the end portions of the side thereof, said pivotal connection comprising a pin passing through said member and bar.

'7. In a net holder for table tennis and similar games, a U-shaped member comprising a back wall and upper and lower flanges, a net supporting element slidably engaging said upper flange, said flanges provided with openings, a threaded member passing through said openings and a threaded nut resting on the lower flange, a side wall of the nut being positioned against said back wall, thereby preventing the rotation of said nut, and causing said member to move longitudinally when rotated, the upper end of said threaded member engaging the underneath of said slidable element, thereby controlling the movement of same.

8. In a net holder for 'table tennis and similar games, a U-shaped member, the back portion of said member provided with an extension, a net supporting element movably engaging said U- shaped member, said extension portion provided with a movable member adapted to engage the net supporting element, thus controlling the movement of same. 5

9. In a net holder as set forth in claim 8 wherein said extension is provided with a threaded opening and said movable member being threaded and positioned within said threaded opening thus moving longitudinally upon rotation. 10 10. In an apparatus suitable for table tennis and similar games, a pair of upstanding posts adapted to be associated with a playing surface, said posts provided with means adapted to support a net, said net provided with a straight bar 15 adapted to be pivotally connected to said means, a

string loosely mounted at about the edge portion of said net, the upper portions of said posts extending upwardly approximately as high as the upper edge of the net and adapted to receive the 20 end portions of said string whereby a firm edge line of said net may be obtained.

11. In a net holder for table tennis and similar games, a U-shaped member adapted to enage a table top, the upper flange of said mem- 25 her provided with means adapted to receive a movable net support, the lower flange of said member being positioned below said table top, a movable member connected to said lower flange and adapted to engage the underneath of said 30 table top, thus securing said U-shaped member thereto, said flanges provided with aligned openings, a headed member positioned within said openings, the end portion of said headed member adapted to engage the underneath of said net 35 support to clamp the same in said means.

12. In a structure as set forth in claim 11, wherein said lower flange is provided with a second opening, a nut secured to said lower flange registering with said opening, said movable mem- 40 her provided with a thread and positioned within said nut for engaging the underneath of said table top.

13. In a structure as set forth in claim 11, wherein said U-shaped member is provided with 45 a comparatively straight wall, said headed member is provided with a screw thread and is positioned within the opening in the lower flange, a nut is threaded on said threaded member, one side wall of said nut being positioned against the 50 straight wall, thereby preventing the rotation of same, said nut engaging the lower flange thus forcing said screwed threaded member to move longitudinally when being rotated.

14. In a structure as set forth in claim 11,55 wherein said U-shaped member is provided with a wall, said wall is provided with an oif-set portion, the corresponding openings are formed in said off-set portion, a nut positioned within said off-set portion, said headed member provided 60 with a thread and positioned within said openings, and said nut, said threaded member adapted to move up or down when being rotated.

15. A structure as set forth in claim 6, including a device for adjusting said member within 65 said opening.

16. In a structure as set forth in claim 6, wherein said bar and said member are provided with openings at their connecting points, at least one of said openings being provided with a thread, a 70 portion of said pin being provided with a thread and adapted to be positioned within said threaded opening and to provide the hingeable means for said bar.

17. In a table top, at least one of the side por- 75 tions of said top provided with an opening below its upper surface, said opening adapted to receive slidably therein a portion of a member forming a net support, a part of said side portion near said opening provided with means adapted to carry an element for the purpose of engaging said member, thus holding same in a firm position.

18. In a structure as set forth in claim 17, wherein said element comprises a rotatable means and when being rotated engages said member thereby holding same in firm position.

19. In a structure as set forth in claim 17, wherein said means comprises a threaded opening and said element being provided with a threaded portion positioned within said opening and adapted, upon operation, to move longitudinally thus engaging said member and holding same in a firm position.

20. A table structure, at least one of the sides of said structure provided with an opening below its upper surface for the purpose of receiving a movable net supporting member, and a portion of said structure adapted to support a device operable to engage said member to hold the latter in selected position. 21. In an apparatus suitable for table tennis and similar games, the combination with the table top structure of the table, of members adapted to support a table tennis net above the structure, said members being of angular shape and having portions engaging said structure beneath the surface of the table, the under structure of the table being provided with a threaded aperture and screw means engaging said threaded aperture and adapted to secure the said member in selected position.

22. In an apparatus suitable for table tennis and similar games, the combination of an approximately vertically extending member adapted to be supported by a table top or similar surface, said member provided with a non-circular opening adapted to support a moveable element, a portion of said element adapted to support a net, means for moving said element within said opening for the purpose of tensioning the net, said element being non-circular in cross-section,

wherein a portion of at least one of the side walls 15 of said element is provided with notches and means adapted to engage said notched wall thus holding said member in selected position.

25. A tennis net, straight bar elements secured to the side sections of said net at points near the 20 top and bottom portions of same, each of said elements being provided with an opening at about the center thereof for receiving a member therein, said member adapted to be hingeably connected to said element and means for connecting said 5' member to net supporting means, said hinged connection being releasable, so as to separate the elements from said net supporting means.

26. In a structure as set forth in claim 5, wherein saidbar elements are provided with side por- 30 tions facing each other, and at least a part of said side sections of the net being positioned between the side portions of said bar elements, and means for clamping said side portions against the 3 net. 5

27. In a structure as set forth in claim 5, wherein said bar is provided with a channel-shaped section, said side section of the net being positioned within said channel-shaped section, said bar and net being provided with openings near the top and bottom portions thereof, and fastening elements within said openings connecting said bar and net together.

JACOB L. KLEINMAN, 

